Shatabdi Executive Class vs Chair Car – (Experience & Review)

Shatabdi is one the finest trains in the Indian Railways and this post will be a brief introduction about it and how my first experience turned out to be in the Shatabdi executive class of the train from Ghaziabad to Dehradun. We will also be discussing what all is included in the journey – the food, the leg space and other important elements and compare it with the normal coach of the train.

So without further ado, let’s begin!

What is Shatabdi executive class?

Shatabdi Express is one of India’s most clean, fast and pretty luxurious of trains and I have experienced it quite a lot of times to talk about it.

Now Shatabdi is basically a Fully Air Conditioned Chair Car Train with two types of classes – Chair Car and Executive.

Shatabdi Executive Class is mostly like the business class option of a domestic flight in India. You get your own separate compartment, with comfortable seating and all the amenities you need.

There’s a lot of legroom, so you can stretch out and relax, and the staff is very helpful and polite. The food is good, and there’s a lot of it – enough to keep you going for the whole trip. The best part is that you don’t have to worry about anything.

The staff takes care of everything, from boarding to getting off the train. They make sure you have everything you need, from comfort to fruits and other food items.

Shatabdi Executive Class chair car facilities

The major difference in between a normal chair car and a Shatabdi Exclusive Class Chair Car comes under the facilities. Obviously, the executive has much more of them. Let’s discuss these –

• Leg Space
• Head Rest
• Comfortable Seats
• 2×2 Seat Layout
• Helpful Staff
• Cleanliness

Leg Space

Say goodbye to cramped journeys and hello to unrestricted comfort with the Shatabdi Executive Class.

Leg space or comfort is one of the most essential feature that travellers crave for while travelling from anywhere to everywhere. Be it a long haul flight, a long route train ride or even choosing a perfect vehicle for your road trip, leg space is one thing that we think about the most.

And the transportation services know this very well – the major differences in between a regular seat and an executive/business class seat in any transport is the leg space and space to move around. The best feature of all in the Shatabdi executive class train is the space for movement that it provides for our legs. It is much comfier than the normal chair car and kinda makes you feel great about paying more.

Head Rest

It is not time to bid farewell to another issue which comes in a lot of chair cars – the neck strains!

Shatabdi Executive Class ensures a cozy and ergonomic seating experience with the pre-installed headrests.

This feature is one of the coolest ones in the train which makes it differ from the normal chair car.

(BTW, you can check out this post about the best travel neck pillows for long flights and lengthy journeys ’cause not everywhere you’ll get a head rest, right?)

Recommended Travel Pillow for long journeys – Trajectory Neck Pillow

Comfortable Seats

Next thing is the comfort that the seats provide in the executive shatabdi express train. I am not a 100% sure if they use some other kind of material in the executive coaches or there’s something in the shape or layout of the seats, but it just feels a little different when you sit at these seats.

It is much more comfier, more spacious and gives out a vibe where you can sleep without thinking of dealing with a sprain later on.

2×2 Seat Layout

Shatabdi express has total capacity of 500 seats of which 10% are in Shatabdi Executive Class and the rest being the regular chair car coaches.

Each Shatabdi Train Executive Coach has basically the 2×2 seating arrangement with 2 seats on the left and 2 on the right with the separation of the walking compartment.

Each row has two seats which provides the best kind of leg space and comfort anyone could ask for a sitting train journey.

Helpful Staff

I experienced this feature while travelling in both the types of the train i.e. an executive coach as well as a regular chair car that the staff also seems to be a little updated with the coaches.

I mean in the executive class they seemed much more helpful, ready to guide you and answer queries when compared to the chair car where you only see them when they come out to give you the food items and stuff.

Also, the guys really looked like they do like this job as there were smiles and a comfortable vibe into all of them. Which is a great way for travellers to experience a journey.

You get to experience a personalized service from a happy, dedicated team – ready to cater to all your needs.

Cleanliness

One thing which anyone who has even for once travelled in the Indian Railways from anywhere to anywhere might tell you about these trains is the filthy toilets almost in most of the coaches (especially if it’s a sleeper coach – sleeper, 3a, 2a).

Surprisingly though, the Shatabdi Executive Class has never disappointed (me, at least) in this particular case. And just like my previous experiences in the express, the toilets were super clean and washed.

Beyond the toilets, the Shatabdi Executive Class also maintains an exceptional cleanliness standard throughout the coach and every element in it – ensuring a hygienic environment through the journey.

Shatabdi executive class food menu

Now comes the one thing which could be arguably the reason people like trains like Shatabdi, etc. – the food! I know y’all might be waiting for this one and here it is – time to discuss the food items in the Shatabdi Executive Class.

Executive Menu for Shatabdi Executive Class New Delhi to Dehradun (12017) –

During the train journey from New Delhi to Dehradun, we do not get to experience the lunch/dinner food items but there was a menu and a helpful staff from which I came to know about the delicacies they provide in them as well.

Normal Class vs Executive Class

Majorly both these classes of the Shatabdi train in India are great for any kind of journeys but obviously there are some differences and it’s now time to discuss these with you all so you can know everything about the classes before booking your seats, aight.

I know I haven’t added food in the above table because it needs a different table – Here goes!

My Experience in the Executive Class Train Journey

So this was my first ever experience of an executive (business class) chair car on a train journey and to be honest it was great! Like it wasn’t something entirely unique and very amazing that I’ll remember beyond death, but it was a great experience.

Shatabdi Executive Chair Car impressed me in ways more than just a simple tick off the list of good things about a train journey.

Comfort is mostly the top-priority for most travelers, and this train certainly delivers to that.

With generous legroom and comfortable headrests, not to mention the delightful food onboard – there were a lot of different aspects which I enjoyed and felt kinda great seeing such professional and impressive journey.

The leg room was enough for little humans to dance around if inclined to. On the other hand, the headrests were a thoughtful addition, enhancing the overall experience and comfort meter for the travelers.

As for the food, it surpassed my expectations – to be honest.

Compared to other trains, I think Shatabdi consistently offers superior dining options. While not exceptionally gourmet, the food was clean, fresh, well-packaged and satisfying both in quantity as well as the taste.

During our little journey from New Delhi to Doon, the breakfast selection was diverse and that kept us engaged throughout the trip.

The intervals in between servings were not too long, ensuring there was always something new to endure.

It was almost like being a child again, eagerly waiting for the next treat of joy brought towards you by the attentive staff.

Lastly, what impressed me the most – beside the food – was the cleanliness of the train. From the moment we stepped aboard until we disembarked, we couldn’t encounter a single piece of litter or dust or that freaky smell that most sleeper trains could bring out – even at the best of their coaches.

Even the washrooms were impeccably clean, contributing to the overall pleasantness of the train experience.

As for the end verdict from my side, the Shatabdi executive class is ultimate value for money when it comes to food, comfort and cleanliness.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a comfortable and luxurious train journey, the Shatabdi Executive Class is a great option. In this article, I shared with you all about our experience traveling in this class and offer our honest opinion.

If you found this article informative and enjoyable, do not forget to like, share and leave your precious comments down below. Happy Travels!

That’s All Folks!